Ready for the Snow, Whenever It May Come

Youngsters can take advantage of free lessons at this year’s Ski Dazzle ski show, happening Thursday through Sunday at the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. (Photo courtesy Ski Dazzle)

Tuesday’s wet weather in the L.A. basin and valleys brought more than sorely-needed moisture to a parched SoCal; it also carried the promise of snow in the higher elevations.

Right on cue, this weekend will see the 51st edition of Ski Dazzle, the Los Angeles Ski Show & Snowboard Expo, taking place Thursday through Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center’s South Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St.

More than 250 exhibit booths showcasing ski and snowboard retailers and more than 50 local and national winter resort representatives will be on hand to offer special bargains and help tailor a perfect wintertime excursion.

New to the show this year will be the Hokkaido Ski Promotion Council, who will feature ski packages to resorts such as the spectacular Niseko Ski Area, seen above. (Japan National Tourist Organization)

The $6 million event brings an opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on brand name gear and resort deals, provided by local retailers and industry vendors. This family-friendly show will feature season pass and lift ticket specials, free entertainment and film previews.

Expo admission includes daily free events such as continuous ski lessons on a 60-foot Snow Summit Ski School ramp, a new Riglet Park snowboard learning center for kids ages 2-8 from Bear Mountain and Burton, a two-story high pre-season fitness climbing wall, the 30-foot-tall Snowzilla Apline Slide, and the Taste of Winter cooking demos.

The show will also offer all attendees a variety of free lift ticket offers from Brianhead, Utah, Bear Mountain, Mt. Baldy, Mountain High, Snow Summit and Snow Valley.

The newest resort exhibitor to Ski Dazzle this year is a resort group from Japan’s northernmost main island, Hokkaido.

“We come to Ski Dazzle to introduce Japan’s premier winter assets and promote Hokkaido’s freshest gourmet ingredients and natural hot springs, which are great to combine with ski trips,” read a statement from Kimitsugu Kamori, chairman of the Hokkaido Ski Promotion Council. “Unfortunately, Hokkaido’s winter assets are not yet well-known in the United States.”

However, he added, “Snow resorts in Hokkaido locate at rather low altitude as compared to other world-class snow resorts. Ski resorts in Colorado are located at elevations three times higher than Hokkaido’s. This means Hokkaido resorts are family-friendly with easy access from major cities and airports, and are well-known for plentiful snow, high-quality powder and a long winter season.”

Ski Dazzle admission tickets are available in advance online or during the show: $20 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and children 6 years and under are free.

For more detailed information or to buy tickets, visit the Ski Dazzle website. For directions and parking information, visit the L.A. Convention Center website.

Instagram

ABOUT RAFU SHIMPO

The Rafu Shimpo has been the nation's leading Japanese American newspaper since its original publication. We are proud to have served the Japanese American community from our Little Tokyo office in Downtown Los Angeles since 1903.